Industrial electronic badge

ABSTRACT

An industrial system includes an electronic badge worn or otherwise transported by an industrial vehicle operator. The electronic badge has a housing, a processor, and a transceiver coupled to the processor that communicates on a personal-area network with a badge communicator that is provided on an industrial vehicle when the electronic badge and the badge communicator are in range of each other. Further, an activity sensor collects activity information about the industrial vehicle operator as the industrial vehicle operator performs work tasks. The electronic badge exchanges data collected by the activity sensor with the industrial vehicle, for communication to a remote server. An electronic message is communicated to the industrial vehicle for output to a display thereon, and the electronic message defines an assigned task that is based upon previously collected data from the activity sensor.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No.15/685,163, filed Aug. 24, 2017, entitled INDUSTRIAL ELECTRONIC BADGE,now allowed, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional PatentApplication Ser. No. 62/379,732, filed Aug. 25, 2016, entitledINDUSTRIAL ELECTRONIC BADGE, the disclosures of which are herebyincorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

The present disclosure relates to electronic badges that recorduser-based observational feedback for event tracking, and optionally, tobadges that include multiple modes of operation such as badges that haveone mode of operation when coupled to an industrial vehicle and anothermode when used by a pedestrian.

Wireless strategies are deployed by business operations, includingdistributors, retail stores, manufacturers, etc., to improve theefficiency and accuracy of business operations. Further, wirelessstrategies may also be deployed by such business operations to avoid theinsidious effects of constantly increasing labor and logistics costs.

For instance, in a typical industrial implementation, an industrialvehicle (e.g., forklift truck) is equipped with a communications devicethat links a corresponding industrial vehicle operator to a managementsystem executing on an associated computer enterprise via a wirelesstransceiver. Essentially, the communications device is used as aninterface to the management system to direct the tasks of the industrialvehicle operator, e.g., by instructing the forklift truck operator whereand/or how to pick, pack, put away, move, stage, process or otherwisemanipulate items within a facility.

BRIEF SUMMARY

According to aspects of the present disclosure, an industrial systemincludes an electronic badge worn or otherwise transported by anindustrial vehicle operator. The electronic badge has a housing, aprocessor, and a transceiver coupled to the processor that communicateson a personal-area network with a badge communicator that is provided onan industrial vehicle when the electronic badge and the badgecommunicator are in range of each other. Further, an activity sensorcollects activity information about the industrial vehicle operator asthe industrial vehicle operator performs work tasks. The electronicbadge exchanges data collected by the activity sensor with theindustrial vehicle, for communication to a remote server. An electronicmessage is communicated to the industrial vehicle for output to adisplay thereon, and the electronic message defines an assigned taskthat is based upon previously collected data from the activity sensor.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, an electronicbadge comprises a processor, a first transceiver, and memory coupled tothe processor. The memory includes a program that instructs theprocessor to perform an industrial operations application by:determining whether the electronic badge is coupled to an industrialvehicle via the first transceiver, performing actions in a first modeassociated with a pedestrian if the electronic badge is not coupled tothe industrial vehicle, performing actions in a second mode associatedwith the industrial vehicle if the electronic badge is coupled to theindustrial vehicle.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a system according to aspects of thedisclosure;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a system of electronics on an industrialvehicle such as a forklift truck, which includes an information linkingdevice, an environmental-based location tracking device, and a badgecommunicator, according to aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 3 is a block diagram of an example electronic badge according toaspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram illustrating a memory of the electronic badgeof FIG. 3, according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 5 is a flow chart illustrating an algorithm for determining whetherthe electronic badge of FIGS. 3-4 is in a pedestrian mode or anindustrial vehicle mode, according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 6 is an illustration of an embodiment of the electronic badge ofFIGS. 3-5, according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 7 is an illustration of an embodiment of the electronic badge ofFIG. 6 attached to a case, according to various aspects of the presentdisclosure;

FIG. 8 is an illustration of an embodiment of the electronic badge ofFIGS. 3-7 attached to the case of FIG. 7, which is attached to a cradle,according to various aspects of the present disclosure;

FIG. 9 is an illustration of the electronic badge system of FIG. 7 in apocket of a vest of a pedestrian, according to various aspects of thepresent disclosure;

FIG. 10 is an illustration of the electronic badge system of FIG. 7 in apocket of a cradle of an industrial vehicle, according to variousaspects of the present disclosure; and

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a computer processing system capable ofimplementing any of the systems or processes (or subsets thereof)described more fully herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

According to various aspects of the present disclosure, systems andcomputer-implemented processes provide communication capabilitiesbetween electronic badges operating in an industrial application, e.g.,constrained environment such as a warehouse, manufacturing environment,commercial operation, etc.

The disclosure herein provides electronic badges that improve wirelesscommunication between nearby pedestrians, and between pedestrians andnearby operators of industrial vehicles.

In particular, various aspects of the present disclosure address thetechnical problem of event detection and responsiveness through the useof electronic badges. More particularly, the present disclosure providesa technical solution that utilizes wireless communication betweenelectronic badges to generate events based upon observational data,which is enabled via temporary, wireless personal-area networks.

The technical solutions herein bring about several technical effects,including automated electronic badge communication through thecombination of one or more personal-area networks and a local areanetwork, improved machine-to-machine communication, and improvedenvironmental and situational awareness between electronic badges.Moreover, the above technologies are improved by enabling mobile badgesto collect observational data that cannot otherwise be collected byconventional data logging systems.

According to further aspects of the present disclosure, systems andcomputer-implemented processes provide for multi-mode electronic badgesthat operate in a first mode when communicably coupled to an industrialvehicle and in a second mode when not communicably coupled to anindustrial vehicle. The disclosure herein improves the technologies ofindustrial vehicles and industrial management systems. In particular,various aspects of the present disclosure address the technical problemof logging onto an industrial vehicle and tracking/monitoring industrialworkers.

The technical solutions herein bring about technical effects includingsituational awareness between industrial vehicles and electronic badges,augmenting a display system of industrial vehicles, and reducinghardware required to perform industrial tasks.

The disclosure herein also improves the operation of industrial vehiclesand industrial management systems by fusing together different logonrequirements and tracking features from multiple independent devices toenable industrial vehicles.

System Overview

Referring now to the drawings and in particular to FIG. 1, a generaldiagram of a system 100 is illustrated according to various aspects ofthe present disclosure. The illustrated system 100 is a special purpose(particular) computing environment that includes a plurality of hardwareprocessing devices (designated generally by the reference 102) that arelinked together by one or more network(s) (designated generally by thereference 104).

The network(s) 104 provides communications links between the variousprocessing devices 102 and may be supported by networking components 106that interconnect the processing devices 102, including for example,routers, hubs, firewalls, network interfaces, wired or wirelesscommunications links and corresponding interconnections, cellularstations and corresponding cellular conversion technologies (e.g., toconvert between cellular and TCP/IP, etc.). Moreover, the network(s) 104may comprise connections using one or more intranets, extranets, localarea networks (LAN), wide area networks (WAN), wireless networks (WiFi),the Internet, including the world wide web, cellular and/or otherarrangements for enabling communication between the processing devices102, in either real time or otherwise (e.g., via time shifting, batchprocessing, etc.).

A processing device 102 can be implemented as a server, personalcomputer, laptop computer, netbook computer, purpose-driven appliance,special purpose computing device and/or other device capable ofcommunicating over the network 104. Other types of processing devices102 include for example, personal data assistant (PDA) processors, palmcomputers, cellular devices including cellular mobile telephones andsmart telephones, tablet computers, an electronic control unit (ECU), adisplay of the industrial vehicle, a multi-mode industrial managementbadge, etc.

Still further, a processing device 102 is provided on one or moreindustrial vehicles 108 such as a forklift truck, reach truck, stockpicker, automated guided vehicle, turret truck, tow tractor, riderpallet truck, walkie stacker truck, etc. In the example configurationillustrated, the industrial vehicles 108 wirelessly communicate throughone or more access points 110 to a corresponding networking component106, which serves as a connection to the network 104. Alternatively, theindustrial vehicles 108 can be equipped with WiFi, cellular or othersuitable technology that allows the processing device 102 on theindustrial vehicle 108 to communicate directly with a remote device(e.g., over the networks 104).

The illustrative system 100 also includes a processing deviceimplemented as a server 112 (e.g., a web server, file server, and/orother processing device) that supports an analysis engine 114 andcorresponding data sources (collectively identified as data sources116).

In an exemplary implementation, the data sources 116 include acollection of databases that store various types of information relatedto an operation (e.g., a warehouse, distribution center, retail store,manufacturer, etc.). However, these data sources 116 need not beco-located. In the illustrative example, the data sources 116 includedatabases that tie processes executing for the benefit of theenterprise, from multiple, different domains. In the illustratedexample, data sources 116 include an industrial vehicle informationdatabase 118 (supporting processes executing in an industrial vehicleoperation domain), an industrial management system (e.g., a warehousemanagement system (WMS)) 120 (supporting processes executing in WMSdomain that relate to movement and tracking of goods within theoperating environment), a human resources management system (HRMS) 122(supporting processes executing in an FIRMS domain), a geo-featuremanagement system 124 (supporting processes that utilizeenvironmental-based location tracking data of industrial vehicles in ageo-domain), etc. The above list is not exhaustive and is intended to beillustrative only.

Still further, the illustrative system 100 includes processing devicesimplemented as electronic badges 126. The electronic badges 126 can bemobile badges, e.g., installed on workers, vehicles, etc. Electronicbadges 126 can also be positioned on machines, fixtures, equipment,building structures, etc., as will be described in greater detailherein.

In this regard, this application incorporates by reference, U.S.Provisional Patent Application No. 62/354,220, titled “INDIRECTELECTRONIC BADGE TRACKING”; U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/354,235, titled “USE OF ELECTRONIC BADGES IN AISLE PASSING MANEUVER”;U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/354,281, titled “ELECTRONICBADGE AS A TALKING MARKER”; and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No.62/354,304, titled “ELECTRONIC BADGE TO AUTHENTICATE AND TRACKINDUSTRIAL VEHICLE OPERATOR”, all filed Jun. 24, 2016, the disclosuresof which are incorporated by reference in their entirety. Here,capabilities of the badges described in the above provisionalapplications are extended with the hardware and software of FIGS. 3 and4 to handle observational feedback as set out more fully herein.

In certain illustrative implementations, the industrial vehicles 108themselves can communicate directly with each other via electronic badgecommunicator technology, e.g., via a short-range direct communicationlink, thus forming a mesh network, or temporary mesh network.

One or more of the industrial vehicles 108 can also include an optionalenvironmental-based location tracking device that works with a locationtracking system schematically represented by 128, which allows positiondetermination of the industrial vehicle 108, even when operating indoorswhere a traditional global positioning system (GPS) is ineffective. Aswill be described in greater detail herein, environmental-based locationtracking can be utilized to effectively map and track the location of anindustrial vehicle 108 in a dimensionally constrained environment, e.g.,a mapped indoor portion of an industrial enterprise (e.g., a warehouse,a manufacturing plant, etc.).

The analysis engine 114 and data sources 116 provide domain-levelresources to the processing devices, including processing devices 102,industrial vehicles 108, and electronic badges 126. Moreover, the datasources 116 store data related to activities of the industrial vehicles108 and electronic badges 126, including the storage of informationregarding captured events, industrial vehicle and pedestrian encounterswith electronic badges and geo-features, combinations thereof, etc.

Industrial Vehicle

Referring to FIG. 2, one or more industrial vehicles 108 include aprocessing device 102 that is implemented as a special purpose,particular computer, (further designated herein as an informationlinking device 202) that mounts to or is otherwise integrated with theindustrial vehicle 108 (FIG. 1).

The information linking device 202 comprises the necessary circuitry toimplement wireless communication, data and information processing, andwired (and optionally wireless) communication to components of theindustrial vehicle 108, with the server 112 (FIG. 1) via access points110 (FIG. 1), and with electronic badges 126 (FIG. 1). As a fewillustrative examples, the information linking device 202 includes atransceiver 204 for wireless communication. Although a singletransceiver 204 is illustrated for convenience, in practice, one or morewireless communication technologies may be provided. For instance, thetransceiver 204 communicates with a remote server, e.g., server 112 ofFIG. 1, via 802.11.xx across the access points 110 of FIG. 1. Thetransceiver 204 may also optionally support other wirelesscommunication, such as cellular, Bluetooth, infrared (IR), ultra-wideband (UWB), or any other technology or combination of technologies. Forinstance, using a cellular to IP bridge the transceiver 204 can use acellular signal to communicate directly with a remote server, e.g., amanufacturer server across a network 104 (FIG. 1).

The information linking device 202 also comprises a control module 206,having a processor coupled to memory for implementing computerinstructions, including computer-implemented processes, or aspectsthereof, as set out and described more fully herein. The control module206 communicates with the components set forth in FIG. 2 described morefully herein making the information linking device 202 a particularmachine different from a general-purpose computer. For instance, thecontrol module 206 utilizes the transceiver 204 to exchange informationwith the remote server 112 (FIG. 1) for controlling operation of theindustrial vehicle 108, for remotely storing information extracted fromthe industrial vehicle 108, etc.

The information linking device 202 further includes power enablingcircuitry 208 controlled by the control module 206 to selectively enableor disable the industrial vehicle 108 (or alternatively, to selectivelyenable or disable specific control modules or vehicle functions such ashydraulic, traction, etc.). For instance, the control module 206 cancontrol the industrial vehicle power enabling circuitry 208 to providepower to the industrial vehicle 108, to provide power to selectcomponents of the industrial vehicle 108, to provide power for selectvehicle functions, etc. via power line 210, e.g., based upon operatorlogin, detected geo-features, etc.

Still further, the information linking device 202 includes a monitoringinput output (I/O) module 212 to communicate via wired or wirelessconnection to peripheral devices attached to or otherwise mounted on theindustrial vehicle 108, such as sensors, meters, encoders, switches,etc. (collectively represented by reference numeral 214). The module 212may also be connected to other devices, e.g., third party devices 216such as RFID scanners, displays, meters or other devices. This allowsthe control module 206 to obtain and process information monitored onthe industrial vehicle 108.

The information linking device 202 is coupled to and/or communicateswith other industrial vehicle system components via a suitable vehiclenetwork bus 218. The vehicle network bus 218 is any wired or wirelessnetwork, bus or other communications capability that allows electroniccomponents of the industrial vehicle 108 to communicate with each other.As an example, the vehicle network bus 218 may comprise a controllerarea network (CAN) bus, Local Interconnect Network (LIN), time-triggereddata-bus protocol (TTP) or other suitable communication technology.

As will be described more fully herein, utilization of the vehiclenetwork bus 218 enables seamless integration of the control module 206and other components of the information linking device 202 into nativeelectronics of the industrial vehicle 108. In the example configuration,the control module 206 of the information linking device 202 connectswith, understands and is capable of communication with native vehicleelectronic components, such as traction controllers, hydrauliccontrollers, modules, devices, bus enabled sensors, displays, lights,light bars, sound generating devices, headsets, microphones, hapticdevices, etc. (collectively referred to by reference 220).

Environmental-Based Location Tracking

According to yet further aspects of the present disclosure, anenvironmental-based location tracking device 222 is provided on theindustrial vehicle 108. As illustrated, the environmental-based locationtracking device 222 is connected to the vehicle electronics via thevehicle network bus 218 (e.g., CAN bus). As a result, theenvironmental-based location tracking device 222 can communicatedirectly with the control module 206, as well as other devices linked tothe vehicle network bus 218 of the corresponding industrial vehicle 108.The environmental-based location tracking device 222 enables theindustrial vehicle 108 to be spatially aware of its location within adimensionally constrained environment, e.g., a mapped portion of anindustrial enterprise.

In the applications described more fully herein, a conventionaltechnology such as a global positioning system (GPS) is not likely to beeffective when the industrial vehicle 108 is operated indoors. However,the environmental-based location tracking device 222 can comprise alocal awareness system that utilizes markers, including fiducialmarkers, RFID, beacons, lights, or other external devices to allowspatial awareness within the industrial (e.g., warehouse, manufacturingplant, etc.) environment. Moreover, local awareness can be implementedby machine vision guidance systems, e.g., using one or more cameras. Theenvironmental-based location tracking device 222 may also/alternativelyuse transponders and triangulation calculations to determine position.Yet further, the environmental-based location tracking device 222 canuse combinations of the above and/or other technologies to determine thecurrent (real-time) position of the industrial vehicle 108. As such, theposition of the industrial vehicle 108 can be continuously ascertained(e.g., every second or less) in certain implementations. Alternatively,other sampling intervals can be derived to continuously (e.g., atdiscrete defined time intervals, periodic or otherwise constant andrecurring time intervals, intervals based upon interrupts, triggers orother measures) determine industrial vehicle position over time.

The environmental-based location tracking device 222 can also useknowledge read from inertial sensors, vehicle sensors, encoders,accelerometers, gyroscopes, etc., (e.g., via the controllers 220 acrossthe vehicle network bus 218, via sensors 214 and/or third party devices216 across the monitoring I/O 212 and vehicle network bus 218, etc.) todetermine the position of the industrial vehicle 108 within theindustrial enterprise and/or to augment or modify the positiondetermination from the location tracking device 222.

The environmental-based location tracking device 222 is aware of theabsolute position of the industrial vehicle 108 within a dimensionallylimited environment, e.g., a mapped portion of an industrial enterprise.By “absolute” position, it is meant that the vehicle position is knownrelative to a map. The map may be a regional area, e.g., only a portionof an indoor facility such as a warehouse. Absolute position is to bedifferentiated from relative offset position. A relative offset positioncan be a general description of an offset distance, e.g., two metersaway, without also knowing the direction of the offset. Alternatively,the relative offset position can be a general description of a directionwithout a distance, e.g., towards the power unit of the industrialvehicle 108, without knowing the precise distance. In other examples,the relative offset position can be a precise measure of both offset anddirection, two meters away in direction X, Y, Z. In this situation,orientation or a standardized reference plane should be established toensure that offset position is accurately translated to absoluteposition, and vice-versa. In certain illustrative implementations, theabsolute position of the industrial vehicle may be known, butorientation may be unknown. In other implementations, orientation andabsolute position are known.

Badge Communicator

The information linking device 202 also communicates with a badgecommunicator 224. The badge communicator 224 includes a transceiver forshort range communication with suitably configured electronic badges(e.g., electronic badge 126 of FIG. 1) in the vicinity of the badgecommunicator 224, e.g., by way of non-limiting example, in the range ofabout 15-20 meters or less. The badge communicator 224 can communicateusing any proprietary or standardized communication protocol includingBluetooth (over IEEE 802.15.1), ultra-wideband (UWB, over IEEE802.15.3), ZigBee (over IEEE 802.15.4), Wi-Fi (over IEEE 802.11), WiMax(over IEEE 802.16), etc.

In certain illustrative implementations, the electronic badges are to beworn by pedestrians, workers, industrial vehicle operators, etc.Moreover, electronic badges can be mounted to mobile equipment,industrial vehicles, or other moving objects. As such, electronic badgesare also referred to herein as mobile badges when used in the context ofan electronic badge that is not anticipated to remain stationary. On theother hand, certain electronic badges may be stationary, such as wheremounted to the end of an aisle, on racking, above doorways, nearbreakrooms, or in other situations where the electronic badge is notintended to move. As such, electronic badges are also referred to hereinas fixed/stationary badges when used in the context of an electronicbadge that is anticipated to remain stationary.

In certain illustrative implementations, the badge communicator 224includes at least three antennae 226. The availability of multipleantennae allows not only signal detection, but also positioning withinthe detection region. Here, the badge communicator 224 computes positionvia time of flight calculations, phase calculations, received signalstrength calculations, time difference of arrival, trilateration,multilateration, and/or other techniques that can be used to determinethe direction of the communication with a corresponding electronic badge126 (FIG. 1). In practice, the antennae 226 can each communicate withthe badge communicator 224 across the vehicle network bus 218, thusallowing flexibility in the placement of the antennae on the industrialvehicle 108, which can include placement remote from the badgecommunicator 224 itself. For instance, each antenna 226 can be mountedon an overhead guard, power unit, work assist bar, structural component,pole, etc. Moreover, each antenna 226 can be mounted on a differentlocation/structure of the industrial vehicle.

As illustrated, the badge communicator 224 is connected to the vehicleelectronics via the vehicle network bus 218 (e.g., CAN bus). As aresult, the badge communicator 224 can communicate directly with thecontrol module 206, as well as controllers and other modules 220 of thecorresponding industrial vehicle 108. Thus, the badge communicator 224can pass information related to the detection of proximate electronicbadges 126 to the control module 206 of the information linking device202. The control module 206 of the information linking device 202 canthen process the received information related to the detection ofproximate electronic badges 126, send commands to vehicle controllersand modules 220, take action based upon a known location of theindustrial vehicle 108 via information collected from theenvironmental-based location tracking device 222, pass information backto the badge communicator 224, communicate the collected information toa remote server (e.g., server 112 of FIG. 1), take action based uponinformation received from the remote server, combinations of thereof,etc.

In yet further configurations, an electronic badge 126 (or equivalentfunctions thereof) can be added to the industrial vehicle, integratedinto the badge communicator 224, etc. This allows the industrial vehicle108 to broadcast an ID to other badge communicators nearby, and toinitiate communications through the local communications capabilities ofthe badge communicator 224.

Example Electronic Badge

Referring to FIG. 3, a multi-mode electronic badge 302 is illustratedaccording to aspects of the present disclosure. The electronic badge 302can be utilized to implement the badge 126 set out more fully herein. Inpractical implementations, the electronic badge 126 may be a stand-aloneelectronic badge or an electronic badge as part of a system including acase augmenting the functions and hardware of a stand-alone electronicbadge, as described below.

The electronic badge 302 includes a controller (MCU/MPU) 304 having aprocessor coupled to memory 306. The memory 306 stores program code thatcauses the badge 302 to communicate with other badges 302, correspondingbadge communicators, the server 112 (FIG. 1), combinations thereon,etc., as described more fully herein. The processor of the controller304 also executes code in the memory 306 to read sensor data, tointeract with input/output, etc. In this regard, the memory 306 furtherstores sensor data at least until such data is communicated out forstorage, e.g., by server 112 (FIG. 1). Further, the memory 306 may storevarious programs and applications that instruct the processor to performcertain functions, as described in greater detail herein, such that thebadge is a particular machine different from a general-purpose computer.

The badge 302 also includes a battery 308 to power the badge 302. Inthis regard, the schematic representation of the battery 308 is intendedto include a battery, and/or a battery along with battery managementcircuitry, e.g., to conserve power, and perform other battery managementfunctions.

The badge 302 also includes at least one wireless transceiver coupled tothe controller 304 for wireless communication. At least one wirelesstransceiver can be compatible with the badge communicator 224 on theindustrial vehicle 108 (FIG. 2). For instance, for clarity ofdiscussion, the illustrated badge 302 includes a first transceiver(e.g., an ultra-wide band transceiver 310) for wireless communicationacross a temporary personal-area network. Further, the illustrated badge302 includes a second transceiver (e.g., a Bluetooth transceiver 312) tocommunicate over a second personal-area network, a third transceiver(e.g., a wireless fidelity (WiFi) transceiver 314) for wirelesscommunication over a wireless local-area network, and a fourthtransceiver (e.g., a cellular transceiver 316) for communication over acellular network. In practice, a badge 302 can include any combinationof transceivers identified above and/or transceivers that operate usingalternative schemes.

In some instances, the two personal-area networks (e.g., UWB andBluetooth) may be used in conjunction to create a zone around theelectronic badge. For example, the first personal-area network (e.g.,UWB) may have a larger operational radius than the second personal-areanetwork (e.g., Bluetooth). Thus, the zone may include an outer perimeterbased on the first personal-area network and an inner perimeter based onthe second personal-area network.

Moreover, the badge 302 includes input and/or output devices, e.g., aspeaker 318, a microphone 320, a display driver 322, other I/O devices324 (e.g., tactile device, haptic output, camera, etc.), informationfeedback device 326, etc., or combinations thereof. As a furtherexample, an input device can comprise a device analogous to theenvironmental-based location tracking device (222, FIG. 2).

In an illustrative example, the information feedback device 326 isimplemented as an LED (light-emitting diode) indicator 326, whichilluminates to communicate with the associated user. For instance, thedevice can illuminate when the pedestrian is in a predefined zone, inproximity to another badge or badge communicator 224 on an industrialvehicle 108, or to indicate that a message/feedback is available for theuser. As another example, an LED indicator may indicate whenobservational feedback has been sent or received, as explained ingreater detail below.

The example badge 302 also includes at least one inertial sensor coupledto the controller 304. For instance, as illustrated, there are threeinertial sensors, including an accelerometer (e.g., three-axisaccelerometer) 328, a magnetometer 330, and a gyroscope (e.g., athree-axis gyroscope) 332. The accelerometer 328 measures physicalacceleration. Comparatively, the gyroscope 332 measures angularvelocity. The magnetometer 330 acts as a compass, which is useful todetermine orientation. In practice, a badge 302 need not include allthree inertial measurement technologies.

Yet further, additional sensors can be coupled to the badge 302. Forsake of illustration, the badge 302 also includes a heart rate sensor334 coupled to the controller 304 to capture the measured heart rate ofthe individual wearing the badge 302. Moreover, an optional temperaturesensor 336 can be coupled to the controller 304 to capture the measuredbody temperature of the individual wearing the badge 302 or to capturean ambient temperature. In practice, other sensor technologies 338(e.g., barometer, humidity sensor, pedometer, etc.) can also and/oralternatively be integrated into the badge. As such, the electronicbadge 126, 302 can be used as a physical tracker, counting the number ofsteps that the vehicle operator, order picker, or other industrialworker tasks. The electronic badge 126 (FIG. 1), 302 can also detect anumber of times the user bends, climbs stairs, etc. Further, the mobileelectronic badge 126 (FIG. 1), 302 can also keep track of the time whilethe operator is off the industrial vehicle 108, e.g., time walking,carrying loads, etc.

In certain implementations, the electronic badge 126 (FIG. 1), 302 canbe a hand-held mobile device, such as a smart phone, tablet, palmcomputer, etc. For instance, a smartphone provides a convenient badgebecause the typical smartphone already includes a display, speaker,accelerometer, processor, compass, etc. Moreover, most smart phonesinclude or can be equipped with Bluetooth, UWB, WiFi, cellular, andother radio technologies. Yet further, smart phones facilitate richintegration by adding GPS, direct communication with a server. Thus, theelectronic badge 302 may have a housing with a form factor of a mobiledevice.

In other implementations, the electronic badge 126 (FIG. 1), 302 can bea hand-held portable device, such as a smart phone, tablet, palmcomputer, etc. used in conjunction with a case, as described in greaterdetail herein. In implementations with a case, some of the functionalitydescribed above may be implemented in the case (e.g., ultra-wide bandtransceiver, improved speakers, improved microphone, additional battery,additional storage, etc., to augment the capability of a conventionalsmartphone to define the badge, as described in greater detail herein.

Applications

Referring now to FIG. 4, as described above the memory 306 of theelectronic badge includes program code 402 for instructing the processorto perform various functions and a storage space 404 for storing otherdata (e.g., sensor data, industrial vehicle information, etc.). Forexample, the storage space 404 may be used to store an identification ofa user associated with the electronic badge, event records, logs, etc.Example applications that can be stored in the program code aredescribed below.

Industrial Operations Application

In an illustrative implementation, a first program is an industrialoperations application 406 that is used to programmably set an operatingmode of the badge as that of a pedestrian or vehicle operator. Forinstance, the industrial operations application 406 can determinewhether the electronic badge is communicably coupled to an industrialvehicle via a transceiver of the electronic badge. By way ofillustration, as will be discussed in greater detail herein, theelectronic badge can rest in a cradle of an industrial vehicle and linkto the industrial vehicle via wireless transceiver or through a physicalconnection in the cradle. In this configuration, the electronic badgeautomatically reconfigures to operate as a vehicle and/or vehicleoperator electronic badge. This enables the electronic badge tointegrate with industrial vehicle functions, e.g., to operate as adevice connected to the information linking device 202 of FIG. 2.

In an example implementation, if it is determined that the electronicbadge is not coupled to an industrial vehicle, then the badge willfunction in a first mode associated with a pedestrian (i.e., pedestrianmode). For example, upon initial startup such as at the start of ashift, a worker will likely retrieve the electronic badge from astorage/charging station where the battery 308 is being recharged, e.g.,in a breakroom, locker room, etc. Even if the worker is an industrialvehicle operator, the worker must first walk to the associatedindustrial vehicle. In this regard, the electronic badge can initiallydefault to pedestrian mode.

While in the pedestrian mode, the electronic badge may count steps takenby the user, count a number of times the user bends over to liftsomething, determine whether the user properly lifted (e.g., with knees,not with back), give proper procedure for tasks that the user must take,etc.

If it is determined that the electronic badge is coupled to anindustrial vehicle, then the badge will function in a second modeassociated with the industrial vehicle (i.e., industrial vehicle mode).For example, while in (or prior to entering) the industrial vehiclemode, the electronic badge may prompt the user to determine whether theelectronic badge should be used to log the user onto the industrialvehicle. If not, then the electronic badge will revert (or remain in) topedestrian mode. If the user wants to log onto the industrial vehicle,then the electronic badge remains in (or switches to) the industrialvehicle mode and logs the user onto the industrial vehicle using theidentification of the user associated with the electronic badge storedin the storage 404 space of the memory 306. In other cases, theelectronic badge will log the user onto the industrial vehicle when theelectronic badge detects that it is in the cradle of the industrialvehicle without prompting the user.

Where a separate cradle is not provided, the badge communicator 224 onan industrial vehicle can detect that an operator has stepped onto anindustrial vehicle. Communication between an electronic badge and abadge communicator 224 can toggle the electronic badge to the secondmode.

Further, while in the industrial vehicle mode, the electronic badge maycommunicate with the industrial vehicle via a wireless transceiver ordirectly through a hardware link in the cradle. For example, theelectronic badge may have access to sensor data, meter data, and otherdata available on the industrial vehicle. All or some of this data canbe displayed on a display of the electronic badge. For example, if theelectronic badge has access to speedometer data of the industrialvehicle, then the electronic badge may display the current speed of theindustrial vehicle as a gauge (e.g., a virtual speedometer) on thedisplay of the electronic badge. As another example, if the electronicbadge has access to battery data of the industrial vehicle, then theelectronic badge may display the current charge of the battery on thedisplay of the electronic badge. Thus, the electronic badge may act as asecondary (or tertiary) display of the industrial vehicle while inindustrial vehicle mode. The electronic badge can also serve as anancillary display for task specific functions, such as for rack heightselect, or other task capabilities provided on the industrial vehicle.

Moreover, the electronic badge may switch between the two modesdepending on whether the electronic badge is placed within the cradle ofthe industrial vehicle. For example, while in the industrial vehiclemode, the user stops and exits the industrial vehicle to place an itemon the industrial vehicle. When doing so, the user removes theelectronic badge and places the electronic badge in the user's pocket.At that point, the electronic badge will switch to pedestrian mode andperform actions within pedestrian mode (e.g., count a number of timesthe user bends over to pick up an item). When the user is finished andplaces the electronic badge back in the cradle, then the electronicbadge will switch back to industrial vehicle mode.

The electronic badge may determine if the electronic badge is beingremoved or placed into the cradle in several ways. For example, theremay be a specific signature of the accelerometer when removing/placingthe electronic badge from/in the cradle. As another example, theelectronic badge may know its position relative to a transceiver of theindustrial vehicle, and when the electronic badge is at a certain point,it knows that it is in the cradle. Other methods may also be used.

Thus, a single device (i.e., the multi-mode electronic badges describedherein) may be used as a pedestrian badge and an industrial vehiclebadge/display.

With quick reference to FIG. 5, a flow chart is provided illustrating asimplified algorithm 500 for determining which mode to place theelectronic badge. At 502, it is determined whether the badge iscommunicably coupled to an industrial vehicle. For example, theelectronic badge may be coupled wirelessly (e.g., via UWB, Bluetooth,etc.) or with a wired interface (e.g., through a cradle on theindustrial vehicle) to the vehicle network bus. If the electronic badgeis not communicably coupled to the industrial vehicle, the electronicbadge is placed (or remains) in pedestrian mode at 504.

However, if the electronic badge is communicably coupled to theindustrial vehicle, then at optional 506, the user is prompted toindicate whether the electronic badge should log onto the industrialvehicle. If so, then the electronic badge is placed into industrialvehicle mode at 508. If not, then the electronic badge is placed (orremains) in pedestrian mode at 504.

If optional step 506 is not used, then if the electronic badge iscommunicably coupled to the industrial vehicle, the electronic badge isplaced (or remains) into industrial vehicle mode at 508.

Observation and Feedback Application

Turning back to FIG. 4, a second illustrated program is an observationand feedback application 408. The observation and feedback application408 utilizes personal-area networks to identify short-range encounterswith other electronic badges. Encounters present an opportunity for theworkers of the connected electronic badges to provide observationalfeedback. The observational feedback is used to send feedback to theother worker, to create event logs of observational information, toaugment operational event logs with observational data, and for otherevent driven applications, as the situation dictates.

In an example implementation, the observation and feedback application408 determines if the user sends or generates observational feedback toa second electronic badge associated with another user. Further, theobservation and feedback application 408 can be utilized to determinewhether observational feedback is received from another electronic badgeassociated with either another user, a fixed location marker badge, orfrom another device capable of interacting with the electronic badges.If feedback is sent or received, then an information feedback device(e.g., an LED (light-emitting diode)) is activated. For example, ifpositive observational feedback is received, then the informationfeedback device may be activated in a first mode (e.g., illuminate agreen LED, provide a triumphant sound, display a message, combinationsthereof, etc.). As a second example, if negative observational feedbackis received, then the information feedback device may be activated in asecond mode (e.g., illuminate a red LED, provide a non-triumphant sound,display a message, combinations thereof, etc.). As a third example, ifit is determined that the user has sent observational feedback toanother electronic badge, then the information feedback device may beactivated in a third mode (e.g., illuminate an amber LED, flash an LED,etc.) to indicate that the feedback has been sent. In some instances,the information feedback device remains active until the informationfeedback device is deactivated based on an input from the user.

The observational feedback application 408 may be active when theelectronic badge is in pedestrian mode or in industrial vehicle mode.Also, the observational feedback application 408 may automaticallylaunch when an electronic badge is in proximity/range of anotherelectronic badge.

Task Director Application

A third illustrated (optional) program is a task director application410 that determines a task for the user. In an example configuration,the task director application 410 displays tasks on the display of theelectronic badge. For example, the electronic badge may receive aschedule of tasks for the user from the server 112 (FIG. 1). As anotherexample, the electronic badge may determine a task for the user based onan environmental-based location tracking system, from another nearbyelectronic badge, etc.

Event Tracker Application

A fourth illustrated (optional) program is an event tracker application412. In certain implementations, the event tracker 412 can keep track ofobservational events generated, received, or both, by the electronicbadge. In some implementations, the event tracker 412 can determine ifobservational feedback sent by the electronic badge or received by theelectronic badge is proper, e.g., based on an environment of the user,based upon discoverable information using a transceiver of theelectronic badge, based upon data gathered by the electronic badge, etc.

For example, if User_A observes that User_B used a proper technique whenloading an industrial vehicle, User_A may send positive observationalfeedback to User_B. When User_A sends the observational feedback, thelocation of User_A's electronic badge and User_B's electronic badge aredetermined, and if User_A's electronic badge is within a predeterminedthreshold or range of User_B's electronic badge, the feedback isdetermined as proper.

On the other hand, if User_C is in a break room and his buddy, User_D,is across a warehouse and if User_C decides to give his buddy positiveobservational feedback, then the location of User_C's electronic badgeand User_D's electronic badge are determined. It is then determined thatUser_C's electronic badge and User_D's electronic badge are too farapart for User_C to have seen User_D perform an action (i.e., thelocations of the two devices are outside a predetermined range) and theobservational feedback is marked as improper.

Further, other factors may be used to determine whether observationalfeedback is proper. For example, when observational feedback is sent, atask may be determined for the recipient of the observational feedback.If the task of the recipient is associated with the receivedobservational feedback, then the feedback may be marked as proper. Ifnot, then the feedback may be marked as improper.

As another example, when observational feedback is sent, an orientationof the sender's electronic badge may be determined (e.g., using themagnetometer) relative to the electronic badge of the recipient. If theorientation shows that the sender is facing away from the recipient,then the observational feedback may be marked as improper.

Other factors for determining whether observational feedback is properexist, and each of the factors may be individually weighted in anydesired manner.

Micro Learning Application

A fifth illustrated (optional) program is a micro learning application414 that determines and/or provides context sensitive help. In exampleimplementations, the micro learning application 414 provides contextsensitive help based on a predetermined triggering action, such as areceived observational feedback, an outcome from the event trackerapplication, from a task associated with the user, combinations thereof,etc. If context sensitive help is generated, the context sensitive helpis output, e.g., displayed on the display of the electronic badge. Forexample, if a user receives negative observational feedback about notwearing gloves in a freezer, and if the observational feedback isdetermined to be proper, then the user's electronic badge may displayinformation about wearing gloves whenever the user is in a freezer area.

Miscellaneous Applications

A sixth illustrated (optional) program is a gamification application 416that provides games that can be accessed by the user. In an exampleimplementation, the provided games are not related to functions of theelectronic badge. In other example implementations, the games providedare related to micro learning, to received observational feedback, orother links. Further, the user's access to the games may be dependent onother factors such as the user's participation in observable feedback(e.g., did the user send proper observable feedback, did the userreceive positive observable feedback, etc.). Regardless, the games arepreferably time limited.

A seventh illustrated (optional) program is a simulator application 418.In an example implementation, the optional simulation application can beutilized for simulation based functions, e.g., to display a trainingsimulation such as a virtual reality or augmented reality visualizationto the user on a display of the electronic badge.

An eighth illustrated (optional) program is a browser application 420.In certain implementations, the browser is an Internet browserapplication. In certain implementations, the browser can also beconfigured to connect to local area networks, intranets, extranets, etc.in addition to or in lieu of connection to the Internet.

A ninth illustrated (optional) program is a social media application422. In example implementations, the social media application 422 canconnect with a social media server associated with an industrialmanagement system. For example, if an industrial enterprise has a localsocial networking application specific to the enterprise, then the localsocial networking application may be displayed on the display of theelectronic badge.

Other programs and applications may be present on the electronic badge.

Electronic Badge

FIG. 6 illustrates an embodiment of the electronic badge 602 discussedherein. The badge 602 can include a frame 604 that supports a display606, an input 608, and a speaker, microphone or combination thereof 610.Further, the electronic badge 602 may include a housing 612 to housemany of the components described herein (e.g., I/O, transceivers,sensors, etc. described more fully with regard to FIG. 3). For example,in this embodiment, a mobile phone may be used as the electronic badge602. In such an instance, the electronic badge 602 can include one ormore of the components of FIG. 3, and software of FIG. 4. The mobilephone need not have every feature of FIG. 3 and FIG. 4, depending uponthe implementation.

A conventional portable electronic device does not have the features andcapabilities of an electronic badge herein. In this regard, a portableelectronic device, e.g., a smart phone, can be augmented with hardwareto implement an electronic badge.

FIG. 7 illustrates the electronic badge 602 (FIG. 6) inserted into aframe 700 of a case 702 with augmented hardware. Thus, the electronicbadge 602 is attachable to and detachable from the case 702.

For example, the case 702 includes a transceiver 704 (e.g., ultra-wideband, Bluetooth, etc.), a speaker 706, a microphone 708, an informationfeedback device 710, and a battery 712. Further, the transceiver 704 (oranother transceiver) can be used to perform functions associated withthe observational feedback as described herein. Also, the speaker 706and microphone 708 can be used to augment the speaker and microphone onthe mobile phone 602, e.g., to improve the ability to generate andreceive observational feedback.

Moreover, the case 702 includes an electronic badge interface 714 thatphysically couples to the case interface 612 of the mobile deviceinstalled therein. Thus, the components (e.g., the transceiver 704, thespeaker 706, the microphone 708, the information feedback device 710,and the battery 712) of the case 702 can communicate with the device 602and vice versa.

In example implementations, the case 702 can include a battery 712,which is used to provide power to the electronic badge 602. In instanceswhere the electronic badge 602 includes a primary battery, then thebattery 712 of the case may act as a secondary battery that extends theoperational capability of the primary battery. Also, the battery of theelectronic badge 602 may provide power to the components of the case 702and vice versa.

FIG. 8 illustrates the electronic badge 602 in a case 702 within acradle 802 (e.g., coupled to an industrial vehicle), which may include acase interface 804 that couples to a cradle interface 716 of the case702.

FIG. 9 illustrates use of the electronic badge system 902 (comprisingthe electronic badge 602 and the case 702) placed in a pocket 904 of avest 906 and being used in pedestrian mode.

FIG. 10 illustrates use of the electronic badge system 902 (comprisingthe electronic badge 602 and the case 702) placed in a cradle 802coupled to a pole 1002 of an industrial vehicle 1004 and being used inthe industrial vehicle mode, as described above. The industrial vehicle1004 may supply power to the electronic badge system 902 via the caseinterface of the cradle and the cradle interface of the case. Further,the electronic badge system 802 may be communicably coupled to theindustrial vehicle via hardware in the case/cradle interface or via awireless transceiver, as discussed herein. Moreover, while in industrialvehicle mode, the display of the electronic badge may function as agauge of the industrial vehicle (or otherwise be a secondary display ofthe industrial vehicle).

An example algorithm for determining whether the electronic badge system902 is in pedestrian mode or industrial vehicle mode is illustrated inFIG. 5 (described above). Thus, the same badge may be used whether theuser is a pedestrian or a vehicle operator. Further, the badge may beused in an observation and feedback program as described above.

Computer System Overview

Referring to FIG. 11, a schematic block diagram illustrates an exemplarycomputer system 1100 for implementing the various processes describedherein. The exemplary computer system 1100 includes one or more(hardware) microprocessors (g) 1110 and corresponding (hardware) memory1120 (e.g., random access memory and/or read only memory) that areconnected to a system bus 1130. Information can be passed between thesystem bus 1130 via a suitable bridge 1140 to a local bus 1150 that isused to communicate with various input/output devices. For instance, thelocal bus 1150 is used to interface peripherals with the one or moremicroprocessors (g) 1110, such as storage 1160 (e.g., hard disk drives);removable media storage devices 1170 (e.g., flash drives, DVD-ROMdrives, CD-ROM drives, floppy drives, etc.); I/O devices 1180 such asinput device (e.g., mouse, keyboard, scanner, etc.), output devices(e.g., monitor, printer, etc.); and a network adapter 1190. The abovelist of peripherals is presented by way of illustration, and is notintended to be limiting. Other peripheral devices may be suitablyintegrated into the computer system 1100.

The microprocessor(s) 1110 control operation of the exemplary computersystem 1100. Moreover, one or more of the microprocessor(s) 1110 executecomputer readable code (e.g., stored in the memory 1120, storage 1160,removable media insertable into the removable media storage 1170 orcombinations thereof, collectively or individually referred to ascomputer-program products) that instructs the microprocessor(s) 1110 toimplement the computer-implemented processes herein.

The computer-implemented processes herein may be implemented as amachine-executable process executed on a computer system, e.g., one ormore of the processing devices 102, 126, etc., of FIG. 1, on aparticular computing device such as the vehicle computer described withreference to FIG. 2, on the badges of FIGS. 3-4, or combination thereof.

Thus, the exemplary computer system or components thereof can implementprocesses and/or computer-implemented processes stored on one or morecomputer-readable storage devices as set out in greater detail herein.Other computer configurations may also implement the processes and/orcomputer-implemented processes stored on one or more computer-readablestorage devices as set out in greater detail herein. Computer-programcode for carrying out operations for aspects of the present disclosuremay be written in any combination of one or more programming languages.The program code may execute entirely on the computer system 1100 orpartly on the computer system 1100. In the latter scenario, the remotecomputer may be connected to the computer system 1100 through any typeof network connection, e.g., using the network adapter 1190 of thecomputer system 1100.

In implementing computer aspects of the present disclosure, anycombination of computer-readable medium may be utilized. Thecomputer-readable medium may be a computer readable signal medium, acomputer-readable storage medium, or a combination thereof. Moreover, acomputer-readable storage medium may be implemented in practice as oneor more distinct mediums.

A computer-readable signal medium is a transitory propagating signal perse. A computer-readable signal medium may include computer readableprogram code embodied therein, for example, as a propagated data signalin baseband or as part of a carrier wave. More specifically, acomputer-readable signal medium does not encompass a computer-readablestorage medium.

A computer-readable storage medium is a tangible device/hardware thatcan retain and store a program (instructions) for use by or inconnection with an instruction execution system, apparatus, or device,e.g., a computer or other processing device set out more fully herein.Notably, a computer-readable storage medium does not encompass acomputer-readable signal medium. Thus, a computer readable storagemedium, as used herein, is not to be construed as being transitorysignals per se, such as radio waves or other freely propagatingelectromagnetic waves through a transmission media.

Specific examples (a non-exhaustive list) of the computer-readablestorage medium include the following: a hard disk, a random accessmemory (RAM), a read-only memory (ROM), an erasable programmableread-only memory (EPROM), Flash memory, a portable computer storagedevice, an optical storage device such as a compact disc read-onlymemory (CD-ROM) or digital video disk (DVD), or any suitable combinationof the foregoing. In particular, a computer-readable storage mediumincludes computer-readable hardware such as a computer-readable storagedevice, e.g., memory. Here, a computer-readable storage device andcomputer-readable hardware are physical, tangible implementations thatare non-transitory.

By non-transitory, it is meant that, unlike a transitory propagatingsignal per se, which will naturally cease to exist, the contents of thecomputer-readable storage device or computer-readable hardware thatdefine the claimed subject matter persists until acted upon by anexternal action. For instance, program code loaded into random accessmemory (RAM) is deemed non-transitory in that the content will persistuntil acted upon, e.g., by removing power, by overwriting, deleting,modifying, etc.

Moreover, since hardware comprises physical element(s) or component(s)of a corresponding computer system, hardware does not encompasssoftware, per se.

The terminology used herein is for the purpose of describing particularembodiments only and is not intended to be limiting of the disclosure.As used herein, the singular forms “a,” “an,” and “the” are intended toinclude the plural forms as well, unless the context clearly indicatesotherwise. It will be further understood that the terms “comprises”and/or “comprising,” when used in this specification, specify thepresence of stated features, integers, steps, operations, elements,and/or components, but do not preclude the presence or addition of oneor more other features, integers, steps, operations, elements,components, and/or groups thereof.

The description of the present disclosure has been presented forpurposes of illustration and description, but is not intended to beexhaustive or limited to the invention in the form disclosed. Manymodifications and variations will be apparent to those of ordinary skillin the art without departing from the scope and spirit of thedisclosure.

Having thus described the invention of the present application in detailand by reference to embodiments thereof, it will be apparent thatmodifications and variations are possible without departing from thescope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. An industrial system comprising: an electronicbadge worn or otherwise transported by an operator of an industrialvehicle, the electronic badge comprising: a housing; a processor; afirst transceiver coupled to the processor that communicates on a firstpersonal-area network with a badge communicator that is provided on theindustrial vehicle when the electronic badge and the badge communicatorare in range of each other; and an activity sensor that generatesmeasurements corresponding to physical activity of the operator as theoperator performs work tasks, the measurements stored in memory of theelectronic badge; wherein: the electronic badge operates in at least twomodes, including a pedestrian mode and an industrial vehicle operatormode, the electronic badge operating in the industrial vehicle operatormode when the operator is on the industrial vehicle; the electronicbadge exchanges information with the industrial vehicle, the exchangedinformation including the measurements of the activity sensor while theelectronic badge is in the pedestrian mode, for communication to aremote server; and an electronic message is communicated to theindustrial vehicle for output to a display thereon when the electronicbadge is in the industrial vehicle operator mode, the electronic messagedefining an assigned task, where the assigned task is based uponpreviously collected measurements from the activity sensor.
 2. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the processor of the electronic badgecommunicates with the badge communicator on the industrial vehicle totrack time that the operator is off of the industrial vehicle.
 3. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the processor of the electronic badgeelectronically communicates with the at least one electronic componentof the industrial vehicle to determine whether the operator isfunctioning as a pedestrian or a vehicle operator, and the processor ofthe electronic badge is further operatively programmed to: perform anaction in the pedestrian mode if the electronic badge determines thatthe operator is functioning as a pedestrian; and perform actions in theindustrial vehicle mode if the electronic badge determines that theoperator is functioning as a vehicle operator.
 4. The system of claim 3,wherein, when the electronic badge is in the pedestrian mode, theprocessor of the electronic badge is further operatively programmed to:interact with the activity sensor to perform the action as at least oneof: count steps taken by the industrial vehicle operator; count a numberof times the industrial vehicle operator bends over to lift something;or determine whether the industrial vehicle operator properly lifted. 5.The system of claim 3, wherein, when the electronic badge is in thepedestrian mode, the processor of the electronic badge is furtheroperatively programmed to: output to the operator, instructions toprovide a proper procedure for a task that the industrial vehicleoperator must perform.
 6. The system of claim 3, wherein, when theelectronic badge is in the industrial vehicle mode, the electronic badgeautomatically logs the industrial vehicle operator into the industrialvehicle using an identification of the industrial vehicle operatorassociated with the electronic badge stored in a storage space of memoryof the electronic badge coupled to the processor.
 7. The system of claim3, wherein, when the electronic badge is in the industrial vehicle mode,the electronic badge automatically logs the industrial vehicle operatorinto the industrial vehicle by communicating with the badge communicatoron the industrial vehicle to determine that the industrial vehicleoperator has stepped onto the industrial vehicle.
 8. The system of claim3 further comprising a cradle attached to the industrial vehicle,wherein the processor of the industrial vehicle determines that theelectronic badge is to operate in the industrial vehicle mode when anelectronic signal designates that the electronic badge is mounted in thecradle.
 9. The system of claim 1, wherein the activity sensor comprisesa select one of a heartrate sensor, a temperature sensor, and apedometer, the electronic badge further comprising at least one of anaccelerometer, a magnetometer, and a gyroscope coupled to the processor.10. The system of claim 1, wherein the activity sensor of the electronicbadge comprises a heart-rate monitor coupled to the processor.
 11. Thesystem of claim 1, wherein the activity sensor of the electronic badgecomprises a temperature sensor coupled to the processor.
 12. The systemof claim 1, wherein the first transceiver of the electronic badge is anultra-wide band transceiver.
 13. The system of claim 1, wherein theelectronic badge further comprises: a second transceiver implemented asa Bluetooth transceiver coupled to the processor.
 14. The system ofclaim 1, wherein the electronic badge further comprises: a secondtransceiver implemented as a Bluetooth transceiver coupled to theprocessor; and a third transceiver implemented as a wireless fidelity(WiFi) transceiver coupled to the processor, and configured tocommunicate across a local area network; wherein: the industrial vehiclefurther comprises a transceiver that communicates across the same localarea network.
 15. The system of claim 1, wherein the electronic badgefurther comprises: a tactile input/output (I/O) device; and a hapticoutput.
 16. An electronic badge comprising: a processor; a firsttransceiver; a set of sensors including an inertial sensor and at leastone of a heart rate monitor, a temperature sensor, and a pedometer; andmemory coupled to the processor, wherein the memory includes a programthat instructs the processor to perform industrial operations by:determining whether the electronic badge is coupled to an industrialvehicle via the first transceiver; assigning tasks to a correspondingindividual in a pedestrian mode if the electronic badge is not coupledto the industrial vehicle, where the assigned tasks are based uponmeasurements collected by the electronic badge from the set of sensorsidentifying activity exerted by the corresponding individual; andperforming actions in a second mode associated with operation of theindustrial vehicle if the electronic badge is coupled to the industrialvehicle.
 17. The electronic badge of claim 16, wherein performingactions in a second mode associated with operation of the industrialvehicle comprises displaying data from the industrial vehicle on adisplay of the electronic badge.
 18. The electronic badge of claim 16,wherein the memory includes a program that instructs the processor toperform a task director application, the task director applicationconfigured to: determine a task for the user; indicate the task to theuser via a display; and present applications to the user based on thedetermined task for the user.
 19. The electronic badge of claim 18,wherein: the task director application is configured to determine a taskfor the user by receiving a schedule of tasks for the user from anindustrial management server; and the task director application isconfigured to determine a task for the user by determining a task forthe user based on an environmental based location tracking system. 20.The electronic badge of claim 16, wherein the memory includes a programthat instructs the processor to perform an event tracker application bydetermining if feedback received or sent by an observational feedbackapplication is proper based on an environment of the user, theobservational feedback application configured to: identify a deviceassociated with a source of the feedback; identify a device associatedwith a destination of the feedback; determine locations for the deviceassociated with a source of the feedback and the device associated witha destination of the feedback; and determine whether the deviceassociated with a source of the feedback and the device associated witha destination of the feedback are within a predetermined range.